-Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
The Prince Albert Raiders were at it again, making a trade this time with the Prince George Cougars. The 1998-born Kody McDonald was picked up, along with a conditional 3rd or 4th round 2018 WHL Bantam draft pick. It cost them 2001-born Rhett Rhinehart, 1999-born Austin Crossley and their 2018 1st round draft pick.
While the price was high, the East Division of the Western Hockey League is hyper-competitive and the Raiders needed to show their fans that they were committed to making the playoffs this season. With their 14-17-6-2 record, the Raiders sat seven points back of the Regina Pats but held two games in hand. The team is hoping to make up the ground with their recent moves.
The Rebels would come into Prince Albert having lost six in a row, three of which came in extra time. Their record stood at 10-21-6-2, second to last in the entire WHL.
The Raiders were certainly showing that they want to be in the playoffs to start this game. While they were unable to hit the score sheet, the did prevent the Rebels from posting even one shot on net, despite giving them a full two-minute power play with six minutes to go in the first period. Rebels starting goaltender Ethan Anders was spectacular in this one, making 17 saves through 20 minutes.
The @PARaidersHockey look like defensive stalwarts. Allowing 0 shots against in the first period of this game against @Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/50JH2XlqZy
— Paul Figler (@Paul_Figler) January 7, 2018
The second period was much more closely contested. This time it would be the Rebels outshooting the Raiders 10-7. The first goal of the night would go to the Raiders when World Junior returnee Vojtech Budik hammered a shot from the slot past Ethan Anders just 48 seconds into the second period. Jordy Stallard got the puck to Budik who had a clear path to the Rebel net.
Rebels newly acquired defenseman Colin Paradis would collect his first point as a Rebel when Reese Johnson scored for the second time in as many nights. Alexander Alexeyev sent Johnson down the ice, streaking in on Curtis Meger’s blocker side. Johnson threw a puck at the net and it beat Meger low on the glove side.
In the third period, both teams would take turns getting chances. The best of which came when Dawson Barteaux joined the rush and Meger had to make an absolutely crazy save to keep the teams tied at one.
Beautiful circus save from Meger here to keep this a tie game pic.twitter.com/63YzTMbkgr
— Jeff D'Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 7, 2018
The third period would solve nothing and the 1901 fans in attendance were offered up some free hockey.
The three-on-three overtime is exciting in the Western Hockey League. Both teams would rush up and down the ice, hoping for possession and the opportunity to create a two-on-one or three-on-one.
One such opportunity would end the game, when Regan Nagy shoveled a pass to Kody McDonald and he would score the game winner for his new squad. After the game it was learned that McDonald left Prince George at 4:30 am and had to catch three separate flights to make it to Prince Albert in time for the game. He went Prince George-Vancouver-Calgary-Saskatoon and then a quick drive up to Prince Albert. He made it in time with his equipment for warm ups.
Rebel Yell… The Rebels traded Austin Pratt to the Regina Pats for a 2018 3rd round WHL Bantam draft pick before the game this evening. Red Deer has now lost nine games in extra time, seven of them in overtime and two more in the shootout. This is the most in the WHL. All three stars in the game went to Prince Albert 1)Kody McDonald 2)Vojtech Budik 3)Curtis Meger. The Rebels embark on the final leg of their three games in three nights, tomorrow will be in Swift Current against the second best team in the WHL. Budik had five shots on net in ths game, most among all players. Five Rebels had three shots apiece. Overtime hero Kody McDonald was 10-for-14 in the face off dot, Reese Johnson was 12-of-25 for the Rebels.
